England vs India 3rd Test: James Anderson-inspired hosts bowl out the visitors for 78 and lead by 42 runs

Veteran pacer James Anderson was at his scintillating best on Wednesday, ripping through India’s top order before the other bowlers joined in the party to put England in a commanding position at the end of Day 1 of the Third Test. Anderson took three crucial early wickets as Virat Kohli’s boys never recovered from that setback to be bowled out for a hugely disappointing total of 78 runs. In reply, the home side ended the day at 120 for no loss to take an early lead of 42 runs. Local boy Haseeb Hameed (60 batting, 130 balls) and Rory Burns (52 batting, 125 balls) were at the crease during the stumps. It might be too early to predict the match’s outcome, but one thing is certain – India will have a mountain to climb in order to save this Test match.

The visitors were coming into the third Test filled with confidence after registering a morale-boosting victory at the Lord’s in the second Test. After skipper Kohli won a rare toss and chose to bat first, not much went in India’s favour. Anderson got rid of India’s top order, picking up three massive wickets to leave the visitors languishing at 56-4 when lunch was called on Day 1. Sam Curran and Craig Overton got into the act quickly after lunch. The pair combined for five wickets, two to Curran and three to Overton. The Indian batting line-up had no answer to England’s bowling as the visitors departed to the changing room in just 40.4 overs.

Disappointing start by India

In the morning, the only thing that went in India’s favour was the toss. Picking up four top-order wickets with a little over 50 runs on the board was just the start the home team would’ve hoped for. Not even an over was completed and the visitors had already lost their first wicket. In the fifth ball of the first over from Anderson, KL Rahul (0 off 4) poked at a delivery that was sliding away and Jos Buttler made no mistake in collecting it.

The 39-year-old was at it again! He got rid of Cheteshwar Pujara (1 off 9). The ball getting just about enough movement to kiss Pujara’s outside edge before landing into Butler’s gloves. The next one was a big wicket – the captain himself. It was once again Anderson, who got the prized wicket of Virat Kohli (7 off 17). The visiting skipper got the outside edge as India were languishing at 21 for 3. English players and fans erupted in joy, while the Indian supporters were left shell shocked. Kohli’s wait for his first century in nearly two years is set to continue.

England end the day on a high

On the other end, Robinson struck at the stroke of lunch as Rahane nicked a ball that straightened from just outside off. India’s fortunes did not improve much after lunch. Rishabh Pant (2 off 9) and Rohit Sharma fell quickly after the restart. Rohit showed great defensive ability but sadly his 19 from 105 balls was the top score for the visitors. Soon the rest of the tail-enders departed for the changing room as India folded for a mere 78 runs.

With more than a session and a half still to play on Day 1, England made the most of their opportunity. Both Haseeb Hameed and Rory Burns reached their respective fifties as the hosts did not lose a single wicket to end the day at 120 runs on board. They now lead by 42 runs. Following the final day debacle at Lord’s, the response from the home side has been impressive on Day 1 of the third Test. On the other hand, India need to find a solution pretty quickly to save themselves from a massive embarrassment in Leeds.